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Trek Tech…Today

Today, the University of Calgary launched (NYT story here) a "holodeck" which will gives researchers a boost in the field of bioinformatics. The holodeck is a 10x10 foot "CAVE" in which 3D representations of molecules, cells, or whatever you would like, are projected. This allows researchers to view and interact with the structures more closely than previously allowed. The prototype is written in a 3D Java language and is driven by some impressive Sun hardware. From a Supercomputing Online article:

Even though the facility is to be used mainly for medical research, I am sure there is some grad student who is planning some "up close and personal" holodeck research on Seven of Nine.

Also this week there was a report of more Star Trek tech in the news. This was not entirely correct. It turns out the "transparent aluminum" (used in the movie Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home) discovered is actually transparent alumina (aluminum oxide).